Sunday, June 3, 2007

Several people have told me they miss my blog so I'm testing how I'd feel about posting to it again. I've been to all of your blogs periodically --- just can't stay away.

Several good things have occurred to improve my sadness. The war is over! No, that's not true -- but I made you think, didn't I?

Most recently a family from the Strykernews.com forum "adopted" our family to support and encourage us as parents and our sons as soldiers serving in Iraq. This family had THREE family members in Iraq at the same time. Connie, the mother/wife, had her son, brother and brother-in-law to worry about! So I'd say they can definitely relate to how I'm feeling these days.

Connie is quite the digital artist. She made the "tag" on the left in a matter of minutes. I absolutely love it. She's made several others for me that I'll post later.

Kris is still in Mosul; he e-mails at least once a week. Austin is in the middle of the "Triangle of Death" and we haven't heard from him in two weeks. Their Platoon goes on missions for 30-60 days where they have no running water, electricity, communications, so it will probably be a few more weeks before we hear from him. Their Brigade lost 9 soldiers in their first month in Iraq. His permanent duty station (Ft. X) lost 22 soldiers in May.

If any of you remember what I wrote about my work situation, that has completely turned around. I finally got my review two Friday's ago and it was "very good" and I got a nice raise. My boss has had an attitude adjustment that we all have benefited from. I still fall apart about once a day at work but can usually go hide until I can calm down. Everyone knows why I arrive at work with makeup on and an hour or so later I've got puffy red eyes, a big red nose and no makeup on at all.

Another good thing --- I've been invited to join a support group in Tampa that's been in place for a few years. They got my info from Joy, the Florida Director of Sew Much Comfort. It'll be nice to have some local people to see face-to-face who understand how it is.

Over at LaLaLandWithJoAnn I've been describing the cruise we took in Feb. that unfortunately ended sadly when we learned of the death of our friend Kenny. I'm trying to re-write the fun events so the memory of the cruise won't be completely associated with sadness.

And my daughter is engaged and we're planning a wedding! We can't set a date until we know when Kris' return date will be and when he'll be able to come to Florida AND if Austin can get a definite R&R date. Otherwise we'll have to wait until July 08.

I've got two minutes left on my allotted Internet time so I'll sign off now.